Think Spring; Think New Wardrobe...

Spring is in the air, and an ol' girl's thoughts turn to new clothes for the new season. But seamstresses don't head to the store. No. They head to their stash!

I started by opening the top drawer of my pattern cabinet and choosing the outfits I'd like to make. I want to wear more dresses and skirts this year, so I started there. My first choice is this New Look pattern (sorry, it's discontinued and no longer available for purchase). I have never made anything from this pattern before, even though I've had it for a loooonnnng time. I'm going to make the outfit that's second from the left.

After the first pattern was chosen, I went into my clothing fabric stash and chose these white and light (Margarita) green knit fabrics.
I also have the red knit fabric, so I'll do it in this colorway as well. I have enough of the white to make both tops, and then make the skirts to match them. Right from the start, I'll have two complete new outfits for spring and summer. Well, actually, they'll work nearly year-round in Florida, but if I head North, they'll be perfect for spring and summer.
After I'd decided on the first two outfits, I pulled out my Lutterloh pattern book and chose this ensemble. I'll be making it in the more - ahem - modest length. I've had these two linen fabrics for over twenty years! I loved them so much, I couldn't bring myself to cut them. The fabrics are in perfect condition but I'll launder them first, just to be sure they're stable before I layout, cut and sew the dress and jacket.

In case you haven't heard of the Lutterloh system, I'll tell you all about it tomorrow. This will be my first project using the system and I'm quite excited at the prospect of having a pattern custom-fit to my mature - and currently zaftig - figure. I have enough of the printed linen to make an additional skirt and jacket ensemble in matching fabric. If I do that, I'll have at least two more coordinating new looks!

So now you know what I have planned for this week. What have you planned? The weather is absolutely perfect around here. Mum told me that they're expecting another snowstorm in Michigan. I couldn't help but groan when she told me. Really? More snow? So much for "global warming", I say. I hope that it's a false alarm and that wherever you live, your weather will be perfect for you, too.
Don't forget that there's still time to enter my Second Blog Birthday Giveaway. There are lots of ways to add entries, but you can only enter on the giveaway post. Click here to learn more. As they say here in the South, "Good luck, y'all!"

A Prize and a Present...

Just imagine how tickled I was when I learned that I won Sharon's wonderful giveaway recently. Sharon's blog is Corgis In My Garden, and I've really been enjoying getting to know her, as well as her three corgi girls, Hanna, Arabelle and Heidi. (Need I say that Fezzik was immediately smitten when he saw their pretty faces?)

Sharon had a giveaway of eight of her handcrafted cards, and I entered the drawing. I was so happy when I found out that I won! The cards arrived last week and I can tell you that Sharon is a meticulous paper artist. Her cards are beautiful and well-made. The corgi cards captured my heart!

Thank you, Sharon. I'm so lucky to have won your giveaway and appreciate every second of your time (to say nothing of your talent), that went into creating these cards. I'm a lucky, lucky girl!
Remember, when I introduced you to my non-blogging friend, Ann? She made the beautiful Miss Sweet Mouse pincushion for me? You can read about it here, if you missed the post. Well, she surprised me with another package last week!

Ann made a small wall hanging for me...and a musical mug mat for Handsome! We were both so surprised!
She put so many personalized details into the wall hanging for me. I sat for quite a while, just taking in all the little bits and bobs that she had used to embellish the panel. The panel is a great "Needlework Diva" piece designed by Alma Lynne.

What Ann has no way of knowing is that I met and became friends with Alma Lynne (Hayden) years ago and, although I haven't seen her in years (heck! She might not even remember me now!), we used to have dinner together with a few other designers when I went to trade shows in North Carolina.

I love Alma Lynne's whimsical style, and Ann's eye for embellishing is a perfect match for Alma Lynne's artwork!
I mean...just look at some of the pieces Ann added! You'll see two little dogs, scissors, thimble, floss, sparkle, seashells and more. Everything chosen with me in mind.

Ann, my friend. You've done it again! I love your sense of whimsy and your generosity in sharing it with me. Your hanging is in my studio and I smile every time I look at it!

But, wait. There was more!
Ann also made a mug mat with a musical theme - for Handsome! She doesn't use a sewing machine, so she made this mat using only hand stitching! I'm impressed, girlfriend! You're talented with a needle and thread, too. Your mug mat is beautiful, and has a place of honor on Handsome's desk.

Thank you, Ann, for your thoughtful gifts. They're perfect. Now, I'm going to spend a little time thinking of something to make for you. Give me a little time, and then you'll have a surprise in the mail, too!

My Second Blog Birthday Giveaway is still open until the 31st. If you haven't entered yet, click here to check it out. You don't have to be a follower, but you get more chances to win if you are!

Thanks for visiting again. I love reading your comments and try to respond to all of you. If you're set as a "No Comment Blogger", I'm sorry that I haven't written back. I will always try to respond to bloggers whose messages display a return address. I just want you to know that whether or not I can respond to your notes, I always read your remarks - and I appreciate each and every one of them. And, if you don't comment, please know that I appreciate you visiting, too!

I'll be sharing projects, joyful life stories and more fun with you in the upcoming months. Of course, Fezzik will continue to share his adventures with you, too. I treasure all of you and hope to hear from you again soon. Whether you're a seamstress, crafter, cook, wife. mom or grandmom (or any or all of the aforementioned), I hope you have a creative and happy week doing something you love. See you tomorrow.

Sunday Scripture...

"And the peace of God,

which surpasses all comprehension,

will guard your hearts and your minds
in Jesus Christ."

-Philippians 4:7
"The light shines through the darkness, and

the darkness can never extinguish it."

- John 1:5

The profusion of star jasmine blossoms are just one of God's
blessings showered upon us - year-round - in our backyard.

I also wanted to share my photographs of the Super (perigee) Moon
taken in our yard last night. It was a truly incredible sight.

May your Sunday be showered with His love and His light.